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Limietberg Nature Reserve

Limietberg is a pristine nature reserve tucked away in the Du Toitskloof Mountains, near Paarl. The reserve stretches from Franschhoek in the south, eastwards towards Groot Drakenstein, and northwards as far as Voëlvlei Dam and is a World Heritage Site.

Limietberg offers a number of beautiful hikes through steep kloofs and deep valleys. Du Toits Peak, at 1 996m, is the highest point within the reserve. Visitors can also visit the many historical sites along the trails, including ancient rock art, a disused manganese mine and the graves of convicts who helped build the Bainskloof Pass.

The reserve gets extremely hot and dry in summer, but in winter the high mountain peaks are capped with snow. When visiting Limietberg, please check the weather forecast, as hikers can get caught in unpredictable conditions and the mountainous terrain makes rescue operations difficult.

Tweede Tol is a perfect spot for picnicking, but to avoid disappointment we suggest you come early, as day visitors are limited to 120 people per day.

How to get there

From Cape Town: Take the Klapmuts/ Wellington turn-off on N1. Turn left and drive for 20km until you get into Wellington. At the third set of traffic lights, turn left into Piet Retief Street and then right at the next set of traffic lights into Church Street. This will lead you into Bainskloof Pass towards Worcester. Tweede Tol will be on your left, about 16km from the Bainskloof Pass signboard, outside Wellington. Drive cautiously as the road through the pass is narrow.

Accommodation

Camping

Only campsite accommodation is offered at Limietberg Nature Reserve. There are both standard and private sites available and caravanners are welcome.

The Tweede Tol camp and picnic site is located at the original tollgate of the beautiful Bainskloof Pass, built in 1853. The campsite has 20 standard sites, each with its own braai area. For visitors wanting something more private, there are also six fenced-off campsites, each with its own kitchen and bathroom. The campsite is suitable for caravans, except for sites 22, 24, 25, and 26.

Sites: 26, including 6 private campsites (maximum 6 people and 2 cars per site)Shaded sites: Yes, some with shade, some with grassPower points: No
Ablution facilities: Yes, ablution block with hot-water showers (no toilet paper provided)
Swimming: Yes, in Wolwekloof River
Shop on-site: No
Firewood for sale: Yes, at gate
Braai facilities: Yes, at each site (bring own grid)Pets welcome: No

Please note:

Wood (R30 per bag) and toilet paper (R2 per roll) is available at the gate office.

Bookings must be made in advance.

Overnight camping rates exclude conservation fees.

Campers have exclusive use of the Wolwekloof River swimming holes.

On departure at 10:00, campers may pay the conservation day fee and move to the picnic area.

Activities

There are many swimming holes tucked away in the mountains, including the Witte River and Wolwekloof pools. Please ensure you have a valid permit. Note that eating, drinking and diving are not allowed at any of the swimming holes.

Visit Limietberg’s remarkable examples of San and Khoi rock art. These paintings, found in rocky overhangs and caves, vary between 300 and 6 000 years old. They are an integral part of the wilderness area’s value and we encourage you to discover them on your own. Rock art is protected by the National Monuments Act (1969) and vandals who deface rock paintings face fines of up to R10 000 and/or two years imprisonment.

Tweede Tol is a popular picnicking spot, where day visitors can soak up the sun and play in the Witte River rock pools. This area can accommodate up to 120 visitors per day, on a first-come-first-served basis. Get there early to avoid disappointment! Gates are open from 08:00 to 18:00. Toilets are available. Please note that the hiking trails are for campers only.

Limietberg has various walks and hikes, taking you through mountain trails with stunning views, clear pools, and historic sites and monuments. Download a comprehensive map of the hiking trails at Limietberg here.

Limietberg has a variety of hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the reserve’s pristine beauty. Please note that these trails are only for the use of campers, not picnickers. Do not deviate from footpaths or take shortcuts through the veld, as this damages the vegetation and causes erosion.

Permits are available at R50 per adult and R30 per child. Permits may be purchased at the reserve office or bookings can be made through CapeNature Central Reservations.

Trail preparation

Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

Do not hike alone.

Carry enough food and water with you.

Make sure you know what the weather conditions are before you depart.

Take a warm jacket/raincoat in winter.

Make sure you have a relevant map of the area.

Take a field medical kit with you for emergencies.

Obey all signage.

Stay in a group and on the trails.

Bobbejaans River Trail

Trail distance: 8km
Estimated time: 6 hours

This scenic trail starts at the Bainskloof Corner Lodge parking area, near De Nek. It winds across the Bobbejaans River, a tributary of the Witte River. After about 3.5km, you can plunge into the river’s inviting mountain pools (remember to bring your costume). The final steep ascent leads you to a stunning three-tiered waterfall. This trail is particularly beautiful in summer when the colourful disas and giant proteas are in bloom. The Witte River is difficult to cross in winter after heavy rainfall.

Happy Valley Trail

Trail distance: 9km
Estimated time: 6 hours

This easy walk is ideal for families and beginners. It starts in Bainskloof at Eerste Tol, leading up a jeep track past the ruins of an old house and a monument commemorating the 1895 Witte River disaster. Remember to bring your costume so you can take a break and enjoy the many beautiful rock pools along the way. The secluded Junction Pools, where two rivers meet, is at the end of the route. Return on the same path. Rivers may be full in winter.

Krom River Trail

Trail distance: 7km
Estimated time: 5 hours

This easy, popular trail starts in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the left after the Worcester exit of the Huguenot Tunnel. Permit holders can park at a fenced parking area about 700m after the tunnel, on the left side of the road.

The trail winds back towards the tunnel. A sign beneath the two bridges shows you where to go. The trail crosses the Krom and Molenaars rivers. After crossing Krom River, the vegetation becomes dense at the top end of the kloof. The path to the Krom River waterfall is about 2.5km. The last section of this path is surrounded by indigenous riverine forest.

After the first waterfall, hikers will come to the second, truly spectacular, waterfall and large plunge pool (remember to bring your costume). Climbing between the first and second waterfalls can be tricky – we suggest that hikers carry a rope. This may be inaccessible in winter after heavy rains, when the river is difficult and dangerous to cross

Eland River Trail

Trail distance: 7km
Estimated time: 5 hours

This easy-to-moderate trail is an ideal winter’s day hike. It starts in Du Toitskloof, immediately to the left after the Worcester exit of the Huguenot Tunnel. Permit holders can park at a fenced parking area about 700m after the tunnel, on the left side of the road.

The trail heads back towards the tunnel. A sign beneath the two bridges will show you where to go. From there, it is about 3.5km (two hours) to the boundary of the conservation area. The start of the hike is quite difficult, as the path has been cut out against a very steep slope. But it’s worth the effort – after this section the route winds along the beautiful river, with some high areas offering panoramic views of the valley.

As the trail leads towards Fisherman’s Cave, the vegetation becomes quite dense. From this overhang, the path follows the river for another 0.5km to the boundary, before ending abruptly against steep cliffs. Please note that hikers should not go further than this point as they will be trespassing on private land. Angling is allowed with the appropriate freshwater permit.

Rockhopper Trail

Trail distance: 8km
Estimated time: 6 hours

This moderate-to-difficult trail in Bainskloof is for the fun-loving and adventurous hiker. The trail involves rock hopping, swimming and finding your own way down a boulder-strewn riverbed. Although most of the water obstacles can be avoided, hikers will have to wade through a pool near Tweede Tol.

The trail starts at Eerste Tol in the Bainskloof Pass. It follows the Witte River and ends at the Tweede Tol picnic site, where you can enjoy a well-deserved lunch! It is a linear trail, so hikers will need a car at the start and another at the finish. The route is not open when the river is too full. Hazards include volatile weather, slippery rocks, wind and ticks.

Location

Conservation

Limietberg Nature Reserve Conservation

Limietberg is an important water catchment for the Breede and Berg rivers, which flow through the reserve and feed the Wemmershoek, Stettynskloof, Theewaterskloof and Voëlvlei dams.
Limietberg is covered in mountain fynbos, with some indigenous forest vegetation in the wetter areas. Alien trees, including black wattle, hakea and pine, have invaded sections of the reserve.
The reserve is home to dassies, klipspringers, baboons, as well as the seldom-seen caracal and leopard. Two endemic birds, the Cape sugarbird and the protea canary, inhabit the area. Visitors may also spot black eagles and various other raptors. Three endemic and increasingly threatened fish species occur in the Berg and Breede rivers. Trout was introduced to the area before the reserve was established.

Filming

Limietberg Nature Reserve Filming

Limietberg Nature Reserve forms part of the Boland mountain range and stretches from Franschhoek in the south towards Groot Drakenstein in the east and northwards as far as the Voëlvlei dam, covering an area of some 117 000 hectares.

Filming is permitted at the Tweede Tol campsite, the waterfalls, Du Toitskloof Telkom Towers and other various parts of Du Toitskloof.

See the videos below for Limietberg’s options at the Du Toitskloof Telkom Towers and Tweede Tol campsite.

Please highlight the limitations of the day-pass to future visitors

Grant, Jan 8, 2018 - Limietberg Nature Reserve

I was highly disappointed, as myself and my friends were informed that there are beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls. We were informed by previous visitors that you also need to leave early morning to make the cut off to enter the place. We took a friend that came all the way from Port Elizabeth to come and visit this Nature Reserve. We drove all the way from Cape Town, stood in the line at 2am the morning, only to find out at 8am, after paying for the day visit, that the access to hiking trails and the waterfalls is only for overnight visitors. This is highly disappointing, and should be highlighted on your website, to avoid the disappointment of future visitors.

[…] 1) Tweede Tol Tweede Tol has become a bit of an institution, so be sure to get there early enough as the gates will be closed once the picnic spots and camping sites have all been snapped up. If you’re lucky enough to get in, you can look forward to a day of relaxed swimming and fun in the company of friends and family. Tweede Tol is part of the Limietberg Nature Reserve – a vast 102 000ha of mountains, wildlife and fynbos. The site is located at the original tollgate of the beautiful Bainskloof Pass, built in 1853. There are 20 standard campsites, each with its own braai area. Hot and cold water ablutions are available, as well as a jungle gym for children. Firewood is available for sale. A maximum of six people and two cars are allowed per campsite, while extra parking is available at the picnic parking area. Overnight camping rates exclude conservation fees and campers have exclusive use of the Wolwekloof River swimming holes. Day visitors pay the conservation fee only and can enjoy the picnic area and the Witte River swimming holes, although they may not access Limietberg’s hiking trails, the campsite or the Wolwekloof swimming holes. Toilets are available – please take care to keep them clean and tidy. Gate times are 8am to 6pm. More details and directions to Tweede Tol can be found here. 2) Algeria, Cederberg When the hot sunny skies roll in, the shady and grassy campsite at Algeria provides the perfect remedy for summer. The Algeria campsite on the banks of the Rondegat River has 48 campsites suitable for tents, all with power points. Just beneath the mountainous environment which is home to the cedar tree, Algeria is a favourite among campers in the Western Cape who are looking to relax for the summer, explore some hiking trails or take on some of the climbing routes. Be sure to bring your costume in summer as the crystal clear pools are hard to ignore. More details and directions to Algeria, Cederberg can be found here. 3) Gamkaberg Gamkaberg Nature Reserve is a small, tranquil reserve nestled in the Klein Karoo, perfect for frazzled city dwellers wanting to get away from it all. There are three campsites: Oukraal: this has recently been upgraded, with four new herders huts, and an waterless toilet on site. Each hut sleeps two hikers in two single beds with mattresses, with a shelf around the interior for bags and other belongings. Ou Kraal is an opportunity for hikers, or those with a 4×4, to experience a night in the heart of the Gamkaberg. Stable Rooms: Located adjacent to the campsite, the Stables offers basic bunk bed accommodation for up to eight people, sleeping in two small separate units, with a heated shower and outside braai facilities. Gamkaberg campsite: The small campsite at Gamkaberg offers two plots which can accommodate up to four campers each. There is no electricity, but there are heated showers available, and the outside braai is ideal for spending the evening chatting while the stars wink overhead. More details and directions to Gamkaberg can be found here. 4) Grootvadersbosch Nestled in-between a forest teeming with ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and ironwood trees, Grootvadersbosch is an oasis of green with plenty to offer, including hiking trails, mountain biking and birdwatching. Grootvadersbosch has 10 campsites. Each looks onto indigenous forest, providing many opportunities for bird watching. Communal ablution facilities are offered, as well as a thatched communal braai area with fridge, and a children’s play area/jungle gym (no children to be left unsupervised). Campsites have braai facilities, but visitors should bring their own braai grids. More details and directions to Grootvadersbosch can be found here. For campers looking for more privacy, there are two fenced-off private campsites with exquisite views of the Langeberg mountains, each suitable for a maximum of 6 people and two vehicles. Each campsite has a shower, flush toilet, lighting, scullery and braai place. 5) Anysberg Anysberg Nature Reserve is located off the beaten track near Ladismith, and is renowned for its wide variety of outdoor activities and adventures. Whether its hiking, horse riding, or cooling off and floating weightlessly in the crystal clear reservoir, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Anysberg. Five campsites are available and there is a communal kitchen area available with gas stove, fridge and freezer. Ablution facilities and showers are close by. There are braai facilities and the site is wheelchair friendly. More details and directions to Anysberg can be found here. 6) Kliphuis, Cederberg Kliphuis, situated on the flower route to the Biedouw valley and Wupperthal, offers a tranquil setting against the backdrop of the famous Rocklands bouldering site which is frequented by local and overseas climbing enthusiasts. The shady campsite lies in the northern section of the Cederberg reserve, in the Pakhuis Pass. The 14 sites lie on the Kliphuis River – an invitingly cool swimming spot in summer. More details and directions to Kliphuis are available here. With all of these wonderful camping options, there’s no excuse to not get away from it all this summer break. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment. You can call our reservations team on 021 483 0190 or email reservation.alert@capenature.co.za. *Please note, certain activities require a permit, over and above the accommodation and conservation fees. […]